Hamilton backed to shine at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is being backed to cause a surprise next season at Mercedes.

PUBLISHED: 14:13, Thu, Nov 29, 2012

Lewis Hamilton left McLaren at the end of the last Formula One season [PA]

Hamilton's father Anthony believes his son will help transform the fortunes of the Brackley-based team, which has won just one race in three years since returning to Formula One.

Hamilton brought the curtain down on his 14-year relationship with McLaren - the last six of which have been in F1 - with an unfortunate retirement in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old will officially join Mercedes on January 1 on a three-year, £45million contract, as the team seek to finally prove their worth in the sport.

Despite the financial backing of one of the car industry's biggest brands, along with arguably the best technical group in F1, Mercedes came within 16 points of finishing an embarrassing sixth in this season's constructors' standings.

With Hamilton now on board, the Briton replacing the retired Michael Schumacher, the belief within the team is they can finally push their way towards the front of the grid.

Anthony Hamilton certainly believes that will be the case, telling Press Association Sport: "We really believe those guys are going to get it together. There is a definite passion to come good, and I believe they will do.

"You don't have such a great car company and such talented people in one place - and now they've the addition of Lewis - without it being a recipe for success. I believe in Mercedes, (team principal) Ross Brawn and (Mercedes motorsport vice-president) Norbert Haug.

"I believe everybody they need to turn a good team into a great team are all there, and more than anything, I believe in Lewis. I believe Lewis is going to win a minimum of two to three races, and if he doesn't do that then the car really is bad.

"But Nico (Rosberg) won this year, and they've had a few other good positions in races, so I think we'll find some time and have a good year with them."